Gaming is an expensive hobby, regardless of whether someone prefers to spend their time on consoles or computers. PC gamers might have access to deeper sales, but sometimes the free option is the way to go. Therefore, let’s take a look at the greatest FPS or third-person shooters that are currently free on PC.
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Updated on November 18, 2022 by Mark Sammut: The free-to-play scene is constantly welcoming new members, and many tend to fall within the shooter genre. 2022 has been particularly giving in this regard, including a couple of noteworthy sequels to massive properties. What are currently the best free shooter games on PC?
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Debuting in 2012 and still the most popular game on Steam, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has more than cemented itself as a definitive PC shooter. In 2018, Valve turned the multiplayer game free-to-play, making CS:GO a tempting proposition for newcomers who might have been intimidated by the shooter’s competitive scene.
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With tight gameplay and quite a bit of variety, CS:GO is about as complete of an online experience as an FPS can get. The game does come with a steep learning curve since it prioritizes teamwork, but it can be an absolute blast with the right people.
Enlisted
Debuting in March 2021, Enlisted is currently in its beta phase, although the game already offers a significant amount of content. A squad-based MMO shooter, Enlisted gives players their pick of a range of classes and the battles combine infantry with ground and aerial vehicles. The game currently has four campaigns on PC, along with a range of modes including Conquest and Invasion.
Enlisted is a work in progress, but the game has plenty of potential and will hopefully only get better with each passing month. For those looking for a free-to-play World War 2 shooter, Enlisted is a valid option.
War Thunder
Variety is the spice of life, and War Thunder offers something quite different from traditional shooters. Focusing exclusively on vehicular combat, War Thunder allows players to engage in battles using either tanks, planes, or ships. Dividing its arsenal of destructive vehicles into separate nations, War Thunder caters to a wide audience through its modes, some of which are designed to simulate realistic battles while others are arcadey affairs.
War Thunder has progressed quite a lot since its introduction, developing into one of the most consistent free-to-play games on the market. For those looking for something other than on-foot gunplay, War Thunder is one to keep in mind.
Overwatch 2
2016’s Overwatch fueled the rise of hero shooters, and the game was inescapable during its first couple of years. Towards the end of its run, Blizzard’s title lost quite a bit of steam, which might have played a part in the sequel going free-to-play. Overwatch 2 is not a significant departure from its predecessor, but it tweaks the action in a small handful of ways that allow for a tighter experience.
In terms of gameplay, Overwatch 2 is one of the best free PC FPS games, and the same extends to its expansive array of playable heroes. The project’s monetary practices have garnered criticism though, and the game did not have the smoothest of launches.
Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Activision has dropped its sequel to Call of Duty: Warzone, with the 2.0 edition launching with a fresh map named Al Mazrah, a revamped Gulag, and a new mode called DMZ. The battle royale game has big shoes to fill as its predecessor was among the genre’s most popular entries, and while it is still too early to definitively state that Warzone 2.0 will be an improvement, the game does introduce its share of interesting twists to the formula.
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Unsurprisingly, Warzone 2.0’s gunplay is tight and responsive, setting the stage for plenty of fierce firefights. Al Mazrah is shaping up to be a decent launch map, and the new 2v2 Gulag ramps up this mechanic’s intensity even further.
Valorant
Riot’s Valorant has steadily established itself as a juggernaut of the free-to-play market, particularly on platforms like Twitch. The hero shooter was a bit late to the game since it trailed behind Overwatch, however, Valorant has done a decent job of building momentum since its debut.
Featuring a diverse array of modes and a frequently-updated roster of Agents split into four classes, the FPS has strong foundations and a development team committed to sustaining its relevance. That said, Valorant is far from perfect and has had issues with performance and balancing.
Warframe
Once it got over some growing pains, Warframe evolved into one of the best free-to-play games on the market. Blending melee and shooter combat, Digital Extremes’ title has always offered fun gameplay, however, the campaign’s scope and presentation felt limited in the game’s early years.
Nowadays, Warframe has blossomed into an expansive experience that can keep somebody entertained for years. Incorporating open-world environments that enhance immersion while also serving this universe’s lore, Warframe delivers a truly epic sci-fi adventure.
Apex Legends
Respawn surprised the world with the release of Apex Legends, a shooter that combines multiplayer subgenres and does it well. Love a good hero shooter? Apex Legends doesn’t lack colorful characters. Prefer shooters with a tactical component? Apex Legends’ squad-based gameplay rewards coordination and planning. Feel like a battle royale? Apex Legends drops teams into a large map and cuts them loose. Want precise gunplay? Respawn’s Titanfall background shines through Apex Legends’ gameplay.
Apex Legends is polished, addictive, and constantly evolving. This free-to-play shooter is here to stay.
Team Fortress 2
Valve released Team Fortress 2 in 2007; in 2021, the game still averages more than 65,000 concurrent players. Setting the standard for hero shooters, Team Fortress 2 is overflowing with personality and style. Its cartoonish visuals have allowed the game to age gracefully, and the gameplay is welcoming to newcomers while still containing plenty of nuance and depth for veteran players.
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Team Fortress 2’s classes are well-balanced and varied, and they have remained relatively constant since the game’s launch. The gameplay is plainly fun, even after all these years.
Rogue Company
First Watch Games’ Rogue Company is a third-person shooter that apes a number of other popular multiplayer titles, particularly Overwatch and Apex Legends. Although not the most original game on the market, Rogue Company gets its fundamentals right, delivering enjoyable minute-by-minute combat underpinned by strategic team-based gameplay.
At the moment, the game has 22 Rogues that are split into a number of general roles such as Defender and Duelist. Only six of the characters are free, but the others can be unlocked using Reputation or Rogue Bucks, the latter of which is Rogue Company’s premium currency.
PlanetSide 2
PlanetSide 2 has been around since 2012. Like most MMOs, the first-person shooter’s popularity has organically ebbed and flowed over the last decade, however, the game has remained active enough to be worth recommending in this day and age. 2020 was an especially strong year for PlanetSide 2, with the Escalation and The Shattered Warpgate updates bringing a renewed interest in the MMO.
When it comes to large-scale warfare, PlanetSide 2 is arguably the best free-to-play option on PC. Split into multiple factions, players battle it out to gain control of Auraxis.
Halo Infinite (Multiplayer)
In November 2021, Microsoft released Halo Infinite’s multiplayer for free, entering the game into open beta on PC and Xbox consoles. Halo Infinite is a graphical powerful; each map comes with detailed and lavish environments that can be awe-inspiring at times.
As pretty as the game is, Halo Infinite’s strongest asset is undoubtedly the gunplay. Halo Infinite caters to veterans of the franchise while also incorporating tools to make the experience inviting to newcomers. The maps are smartly designed and decently balanced, the modes are varied enough to stand out from each other, and there is even a competitive option for those who want it.
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